Ghana Football Crisis: Carlos Queiroz has left his job as Ghana’s Black Stars head coach after the Ghana Football Association mutually terminated his contract, following a damaging 4-2 home defeat to The Gambia that deepened the team’s AFCON 2027 qualifying troubles. Ghana lost 2-0 to Ivory Coast and then surrendered a 2-0 lead to fall 4-2 to Gambia, leaving them bottom of Group C with no points. Government vs GFA: Sports Minister Kofi Adams says the government cannot dissolve the GFA because it is legally registered, though it can still engage since it supports the national teams. Political and media pressure: Former GFA communications chief Ibrahim Sannie Daara warned that rare unity between Ghana’s Majority and Minority over football should be a wake-up call, while Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) urged a full overhaul or leadership changes. Local governance and conduct: Sannie Daara also criticised GFA President Kurt Okraku for confronting a Manhyia South MP publicly, saying executives should handle disputes better. Next steps: A crisis meeting with GFA leadership has been called by Adams as Ghana prepares for upcoming qualifiers.
AGP Executive Report
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Ghana Football Shock: Carlos Queiroz has left his post as head coach of Ghana’s Black Stars by mutual agreement after a disastrous AFCON 2027 qualifying start, capped by a 4-2 home loss to The Gambia after Ghana led 2-0; the Ghana Football Association says “necessary conditions were not fully established” and that recent results pushed the decision. AFCON Fallout: Ghana also lost 2-0 away to Côte d’Ivoire, leaving them bottom of Group C with no points after two matches, and the GFA says it will announce its next technical direction soon. Coaching Turmoil: Queiroz’s exit comes less than a month after his reappointment, ending a second spell that lasted only two qualifiers. Local Debate: Former sports figures and football voices are questioning the appointment process and calling for deeper reforms beyond changing coaches. Gambia Focus: The Gambia’s win over Ghana continues to drive attention, with players like Sulayman Camara and Ebrima Colley receiving man-of-the-match recognition for their roles in the campaign. Regional Diplomacy: ECOWAS’ vice-president visited The Gambia to advance regional peace, security and development, including inspections of ECOWAS-backed projects. Justice & Public Safety: A Brikama court sentenced a man to six months for cannabis possession, after he pleaded guilty.
Gambia vs Ghana AFCON shock: The Scorpions stunned Black Stars in Accra, overturning a 2-0 halftime deficit to win 4-2, with Ebrima Colley scoring twice, extending Ghana’s winless AFCON qualifying run and leaving them bottom of Group C after two matches. GFA leadership pressure: Former GFA chair Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe renewed calls for Kurt Okraku to resign, while other voices—including some fans in Keta and Tsito—pushed for dissolving the GFA. Coach debate heats up: Carlos Queiroz took full responsibility and apologized to fans, but rejected resignation demands, arguing quitting won’t fix deeper issues; Nyaho-Tamakloe also backed keeping Queiroz and said the real problems may be in player assembly and interference in selections. Parliament to step in: Ghana’s Sports Committee chair Ernest Henry Norgbey said the committee will invite the GFA and Sports Minister to explain what’s behind the team’s collapse. Gambia coach explains the turnaround: Jonathan McKinstry said Ghana’s reaction after conceding at 2-2 opened chances, and he credited tactical discipline and familiarity with Ghana’s football culture. Other regional sport: South Africa thrashed Eritrea 5-0 in AFCON qualifying, with Relebohile Mofokeng scoring twice.
AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Fallout (Ghana vs The Gambia): Ghana’s Black Stars suffered a 4-2 home collapse to The Gambia after leading 2-0, leaving them bottom of Group C with no points. Coach Carlos Queiroz: Queiroz apologized and took responsibility, saying two easy first-half goals “killed” morale, but rejected resignation calls, arguing a coach change won’t fix deeper issues. Parliament Scrutiny: Ghana’s Parliament Sports Committee says it will invite the GFA and the Sports Minister to explain what’s behind the crisis, with one MP even floating the idea of dissolving the GFA and rebuilding. Calls for Reform: Former GFA leaders Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe and Sannie Daara criticized Okraku’s leadership and alleged favouritism in selections, while others demanded merit-based player picking and more autonomy for the coach. Gambia Coach Insight: Jonathan McKinstry said Ghana’s reaction after conceding at 2-2 opened space for The Gambia’s comeback, crediting his understanding of Ghana’s football culture.
AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Shock: Ghana’s Black Stars collapsed at Accra Sports Stadium, blowing a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 to The Gambia in Group C. Ernest Nuamah and Felix Afena-Gyan put Ghana ahead, but The Gambia struck back with goals from Muhammed Badamosi and Omar Colley before half-time, then Ebrima Colley and Colley again sealed the comeback. Coach Under Fire: Carlos Queiroz apologised to fans, accepted responsibility, and said conceding two easy goals before the break “killed morale,” while rejecting calls for resignation as a fix. Local Football Politics: Ghana’s Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George urged the disbandment of the Black Stars and dissolution of the GFA after the defeat. Next Steps: Ghana now face a must-win response in October, with Queiroz pushing for better preparation and organisation ahead of the next qualifiers. Gambia Momentum: The Gambia coach Johnathan McKinstry said the win wasn’t a surprise, praising his team’s composure after going level at 2-2. Friendly Cancelled: Morocco cancelled a planned Oct 4 friendly against Ghana, leaving Queiroz to seek alternative preparation.
AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Ghana’s Black Stars suffered a shocking 4-2 home collapse to The Gambia in Accra after leading 2-0, with The Scorpions scoring through Muhammed Badamosi (penalty), Omar Colley and a late double from Ebrima Colley; the result leaves Ghana winless and under heavy pressure as Carlos Queiroz took responsibility, even saying he would resign if it solves Ghana’s football problems. Gambia Coach Reaction: Johnathan McKinstry said the comeback “didn’t surprise” him, pointing to disharmony he noticed in Ghana’s camp, while The Gambia’s win lifted them to the top of Group C. Match Build-Up in Ghana: Ahead of the clash, Queiroz confirmed 22 players available and urged fans to support the squad rather than complain about absentees, amid reports of low turnout at Accra Sports Stadium. Politics: The Gambia Movement for Progress (GMP) led by Prof Sidat Yaffa withdrew from Coalition 2026, citing breaches of agreements and internal decision-making disputes. Tourism/Development: Gambia-linked cruise tourism and World Tourism Day coverage highlighted efforts to diversify tourism products, including moves toward AI and digital transformation.
AFCON 2027 Qualifier (Ghana vs The Gambia): Ghana’s Black Stars host The Gambia at Accra Sports Stadium today, 29 Sept, 16:00 GMT, after a 2-0 opening loss to Côte d’Ivoire. Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz is pushing for attacking, possession-based football and squad stability, while also stressing honesty in selection and communication. He says 22 players are fit, with midfielder Ronald Donkor the only doubt. Gambia camp: Assistant coach Abdou Jammeh says the Scorpions are focused on the present after beating Somalia 2-1, and insists the team doesn’t need extra motivation beyond representing the country. Match officials: Moroccan referee Mustapha Kechchaf will officiate, with compatriots assisting. Sports (wider CAF focus): Matchday 2 results across qualifiers saw Equatorial Guinea, DR Congo and Burkina Faso win, while Tunisia and Botswana drew 2-2. UN & children online: A Türkiye-organised UN panel in New York urged stronger international safeguards for children online as AI advances faster than current rules.
AFCON 2027 Qualifier Build-Up (Ghana vs Gambia): Ghana host the Scorpions at Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday (4pm GMT) after a 2-0 opening loss to Côte d’Ivoire, while Gambia start Group C on a high after beating Somalia 2-1. Injuries & Squad News: Ghana will miss defender Alexander Djiku (ruled out) and also faces other absences; midfielder Ronald Donkor is the only major doubt after a light training session. Gambia Camp Focus: Assistant coach Abdou Jammeh says the team is fully focused on the present, not dwelling on earlier results, and insists players are motivated simply by representing the country. Ghana’s Game Plan: Carlos Queiroz is pushing for attacking football and possession control for the full 90 minutes, while also calling for squad stability and clearer communication between the federation and players. Sports & State Support: In local football news, President Adama Barrow rewarded Gambia’s U-17 WAFU champions with D2 million after their Senegal triumph. International Relations: Sweden reaffirmed commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with The Gambia, highlighting cooperation on migration, development, education and tourism. Food Security Angle: An Oceana-led study says more equitable fishing access could help nutrient-poor West Africa, naming the Gambia among countries that could benefit if nutrient-rich fish stay in-country.
AFCON 2027 Qualifiers (Ghana vs The Gambia): Ghana’s Black Stars return to Accra’s Sports Stadium on Tuesday, Sept 29, needing a response after a 2-0 loss to Côte d’Ivoire. The Gambia arrive on the back of a 2-1 win over Somalia, setting up a must-win Group C clash. Injuries hit Ghana: Defender Alexander Djiku has been ruled out after failing to recover from his injury in Bouaké, adding to a depleted squad. Ghana regrouping: The team resumed training and is pushing for a more purposeful attack, with goalkeeper coach Daniel Gaspar insisting Ghana has “the best assembly of goalkeepers in Africa.” Gambia spotlight in football: Gambian midfielder Ebou Adams says the pain of missing AFCON finals is driving him as The Scorpions aim to build on their winning start. UN and regional diplomacy: France is reportedly seeking UN Security Council veto reforms, while the ICJ is expected to rule in the Gambia v. Myanmar Rohingya genocide case in coming weeks. Water security push: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS adopted a regional agenda to tackle West Africa’s water crisis, including transboundary river management.
AFCON 2027 Qualifier (Ghana vs Gambia): Ghana’s Black Stars have stepped up training in Accra after a 2-0 opening loss to Côte d’Ivoire, with Tuesday’s clash against The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium (16:00 GMT) now seen as a must-win to revive Group C hopes. Coach Carlos Queiroz says the team must be sharper in front of goal, while goalkeeper coach Daniel Gaspar insists Ghana has “the best assembly of goalkeepers in Africa.” Gambia’s build-up: The Scorpions arrive confident after beating Somalia in their opener, and players like defender Alexander Djiku and winger Fatawu Issahaku have urged support and unity ahead of the trip to Ghana. Migration at sea: Mauritanian Coast Guard rescued 260 irregular migrants off Nouakchott, with boats reportedly sailing from Banjul about a week earlier. Humanitarian law: The ICJ is preparing a landmark ruling in The Gambia v. Myanmar, the Rohingya genocide case. Health funding: ALMA warns a 30% cut in malaria financing could add 146 million cases by 2030.
AFCON 2027 Qualifiers (Gambia): The Scorpions began their home campaign with a 2-1 win over Somalia at the Independence Stadium in Bakau. Ebrima Colley scored from the spot, Bilal Njie equalised, and Mohammed Badamosi struck the winner in the 83rd minute. AFCON 2027 Qualifiers (Ghana vs Gambia): Ghana’s Black Stars, after a 2-0 loss to Côte d’Ivoire, now face The Gambia in Accra on Tuesday. Defender Alexander Djiku and midfielder Fatawu Issahaku urged Ghanaians to turn up in numbers to bounce back. Gambia–Ghana football build-up: The Gambia arrive in Ghana with confidence after the opening win, while Ghana’s camp is under pressure to avoid another slow start. Banking & jobs in The Gambia: The Central Bank of The Gambia ordered commercial banks to phase out non-Gambian staff, a move analysts say signals tougher compliance for foreign-owned lenders across Africa. Humanitarian payments: Circle Foundation backed UNDP and WFP trials using regulated stablecoins to speed up and make aid payments more transparent. Health: ALMA warned a 30% malaria funding cut could add 146 million cases by 2030.
AFCON 2027 Qualifiers (Gambia): The Gambia kicked off its 2027 AFCON campaign with a 2-1 win over Somalia at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, with Ebrima Colley scoring from a penalty and Mohammed Badamosi netting the winner late; the Scorpions now head to Accra to face Ghana on Tuesday, while Ghana sit under pressure after losing their opener to Côte d’Ivoire. AFCON 2027 Qualifiers (Ghana): Ghana’s Carlos Queiroz said the Black Stars must improve finishing after creating chances but failing to score in their 2-0 defeat, and he also questioned the penalty that doubled Ivory Coast’s lead. Local Sports Spotlight: Ebou Adams said the pain of missing AFCON finals is driving his push for glory with The Gambia as they prepare for the Ghana clash. Banking & Jobs: The Gambia’s central bank has ordered commercial banks to phase out non-Gambian employees, a move analysts say signals tighter compliance across the region. UN & Aid Payments: Circle Foundation announced new digital-payment trials with UNDP and WFP, exploring regulated stablecoins to speed up and reduce the cost of humanitarian and development transfers. Tourism Push: The Gambia Tourism Board urged Nigerians to visit, highlighting destination marketing efforts to grow arrivals. Justice Update: The US returned about $2.5m to The Gambia after selling ex-president Yahya Jammeh’s Maryland mansion linked to corruption allegations.
AFCON 2027 Qualifiers (Gambia vs Somalia): The Gambia kicked off Group C with a 2-1 win over Somalia at the Independence Stadium in Bakau. Ebrima Colley scored from the spot, Bilal Elmi Njie equalised, then Mohammed Badamosi netted the winner in the 83rd minute. The Scorpions now head to Accra to face Ghana on Tuesday. AFCON 2027 Qualifiers (Ghana vs Côte d’Ivoire): Ghana’s Black Stars lost 2-0 to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké. Carlos Queiroz said the opener and a second-half penalty were decisive, and he urged better finishing ahead of the Gambia clash. Gambia in focus (tourism push): The Gambia Tourism Board’s Ida Jeng Njie renewed calls for Nigerians to “come to the Gambia,” aiming to boost visitor numbers and visibility. Finance & policy (local staffing order): The Central Bank of The Gambia has directed banks to phase out non-Gambian staff, adding pressure on regional lenders to meet local compliance rules. Global health: ALMA warned that a 30% malaria funding cut could trigger 146 million more cases across Africa by 2030.
AFCON 2027 Qualifiers (Gambia): The Gambia marked their return to the Independence Stadium with a 2-1 win over Somalia in Group C, scoring through Ebrima Colley, with Bilal Njie equalising for Somalia before Mohammed Badamosi sealed it. The Scorpions now head to Accra to face Ghana on Tuesday, September 29, after starting the campaign with three points. AFCON 2027 Qualifiers (Ghana pressure): Ghana’s opening 2-0 loss to Côte d’Ivoire leaves them bottom of Group C, and the Gambia’s win raises the stakes for the Accra clash as Carlos Queiroz’s side look to avoid another slow start. Matchday logistics: Ghana’s GFA says 300 journalists have been accredited for the Ghana–Gambia qualifier at Accra Sports Stadium, with tags to be collected on Monday. Weather watch: Tropical Storm Gonzalo has formed off Africa’s west coast and is expected to bring tropical storm conditions and heavy rain to the Cabo Verde Islands, with possible coastal impacts for parts of the region including The Gambia. Justice & rights (Gambia): A Supreme Court challenge is ongoing over The Gambia’s FGM ban, with Imam Abdoulie Fatty and MP Almameh Gibba arguing the law violates constitutional rights to culture and religion. International spotlight: The US has sold former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh’s Maryland mansion and returned $2.5m to The Gambia, following a civil forfeiture case.
Gambia Banking Watch: The Central Bank of The Gambia has ordered commercial banks to replace non-Gambian staff not covered by approved expatriate quotas, giving banks until 31 December 2026 to phase out affected workers and transfer roles to qualified Gambians. UN Diplomacy: Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking for President Bola Tinubu at UNGA81, renewed the push for Security Council reform, demanding at least two permanent African seats with veto powers and five non-permanent seats for Africa. Rohingya Burden-Sharing: Malaysia told the UN that a lasting Rohingya solution must address root causes and enable safe, voluntary, dignified returns, while also backing The Gambia’s ICJ case against Myanmar. AFCON 2027 Focus (Region): Ghana’s Black Stars opened qualifiers with a 2-0 loss to Côte d’Ivoire, with coach Carlos Queiroz calling the penalty decision “a joke” and urging VAR in Africa; attention now turns to Ghana’s next qualifier against The Gambia. Weather: Tropical Storm Gonzalo formed in the Atlantic and could bring gusty winds and heavy rain to the Cabo Verde Islands and parts of West Africa, including The Gambia.
Gambia–Senegal Boundary Demarcation: A joint Gambia-Senegal boundary team has completed the first phase of demarcation covering nearly 30km between Dimbaya (Kombo) and Kanao (Foni), reaffirming colonial pillars, recording coordinates and installing new markers to strengthen peace and good neighbourliness. Banking Jobs for Locals: The Central Bank of The Gambia has ordered commercial banks to phase out non-Gambian employees not covered by approved expatriate quotas, with compliance required by December, following labour-law and staffing guideline checks. Politics and Elections: President Adama Barrow accused some politicians of paying people to attend rallies and then using photos online to suggest broad support, urging voters to be wary of such tactics ahead of the December 2026 presidential election. Sports (Gambia): Gambian goalkeeper Omar Keita has signed a five-year deal with Sierra Leone’s Star Sports Academy after leaving Medina United, aiming for a regular starting role abroad. Media Regulation: Ghana’s NCA hosted a four-day benchmarking visit by The Gambia’s PURA delegation to share broadcasting and regulatory best practices.
Gambia Accountability in Focus: A desertion trial involving a senior figure, Sanna Manjang, is underway in Banjul, with security escorts present as the case moves through the courts. Regional Football Watch: Ghana’s Black Stars kick off their 2027 AFCON qualifiers in Bouaké against Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday, but face major squad disruptions from injuries and withdrawals; GFA president Kurt Okraku says players did not refuse call-ups, while Carlos Queiroz and officials insist Ghana can still start strong and then host The Gambia on 27 September. Rohingya Crisis at UN: PM Tarique Rahman, speaking at the UN in New York, urged a shift from empathy to action, proposing five urgent steps for safe, dignified repatriation, justice, and stronger regional cooperation. Media Freedom Concern: The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for the immediate release of DRC music journalist Virginie Manganga, arrested over alleged defamation linked to claims involving Fally Ipupa.
Gambia Football: The Scorpions returned to Bakau’s Independence Stadium for the first training session in five years ahead of their 2027 AFCON qualifier against Somalia on Friday, with most of the squad in camp and new recruit Joseph Colley taking part. Women’s Sport: GAFA has started training The Gambia’s first women’s amputee football team, pushing inclusion under the message “Disability is not inability.” Politics & Alliances: UDP and Gambia For All (GFA) signed an MOU formalising GFA’s move into the UDP-led Gambia First Coalition ahead of December 2026 elections. Agriculture: NACOFAG warned against distribution of unapproved fertilizers by political leaders, saying they could harm soils and food security. Regional Economy: Access Bank and the International Trade Centre launched a three-year SME support partnership across 14 African countries, including The Gambia, starting with a Ghana pilot. Banking Regulation: The Central Bank of The Gambia ordered commercial banks to replace non-Gambian staff with qualified locals by end-2026.
Gambia-US Justice Deal: The U.S. Department of Justice is returning about $2.5 million to The Gambia from corruption proceeds linked to former President Yahya Jammeh, to compensate victims after the forfeiture and liquidation of a Potomac mansion bought with misappropriated funds. AFCON 2027 Qualifiers (Ghana vs Côte d’Ivoire): Ghana’s Black Stars are set to depart Accra for Bouaké ahead of Thursday’s Group C opener against Côte d’Ivoire, with a final training planned in Côte d’Ivoire before kick-off. Injury Crisis Hits Black Stars: Multiple withdrawals and injuries are disrupting Carlos Queiroz’s plans, including reports that captain Jordan Ayew is out with a groin/knee issue, while Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Baba Rahman, Alidu Seidu, Nathaniel Adjei and Prince Kwabena Adu have also been ruled out or withdrawn. Next Match vs The Gambia: Ghana will host The Gambia at Accra Sports Stadium shortly after the Côte d’Ivoire game, as the squad reshuffle continues.
AFCON 2027 Qualifiers (Ghana): Ghana’s Black Stars face a tough Group C start as captain Jordan Ayew is ruled out after a groin injury, joining a growing list of absentees including Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Abdul Rahman Baba, Alidu Seidu, and Prince Kwabena Adu. Squad Updates: Ghana has been forced into late call-ups as coach Carlos Queiroz tries to keep momentum ahead of the Côte d’Ivoire trip (24 Sept) and the home clash vs The Gambia (27 Sept). Gambia Focus (Sports): A bright spot for Gambian football is Adama Jeng, the 15-year-old U-17 midfielder drawing transfer interest from top European clubs. Gambia Accountability (US Funds): The US will return $2.5m to The Gambia from the sale of Yahya Jammeh’s mansion, to compensate victims of the Jammeh regime. Local Economy/Jobs: The Central Bank of The Gambia orders commercial banks to replace foreign staff with qualified Gambians by Dec 31, 2026, pushing banks to localize roles fast. Gambia Youth Sports: The Gambia were crowned WAFU-A U-17 champions, beating Senegal on penalties after a goalless final.
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